往 stroke order 往 chinese writing meaning 往 chinese character tattoos

I. The Core Meaning of the Character "往" (wǎng)

The character "往" (wǎng) is a character deeply connected to the concepts of movement, time, and relationships. Its core meanings are "to go toward," "past," and "towards."

1. Literal & Action-Based Meanings:

  • To go to; to proceed toward:

    • 前往 (qiánwǎng) - To go to; to proceed to (a destination).

  • In the direction of; towards:

    • 往左 (wǎng zuǒ) - Towards the left.

  • Past; Previous: This is a very important and common usage.

    • 往年 (wǎngnián) - (In) past years.

    • 往事 (wǎngshì) - Past events; the past.

2. Figurative & Philosophical Meanings:
This is where the character gains its profound depth.

  • The Past and Memory: "往" powerfully encapsulates the concept of what has gone by. It is not just about physical movement, but the journey of time itself. 往事 (wǎngshì) are the things that have "gone," i.e., memories and history.

  • A Continuous Journey: It implies a flow or a direction in life. The word 来往 (láiwǎng) means "contact" or "intercourse," literally "to come and to go," representing the continuous flow of interaction and life's journey.

  • Letting Go and Moving Forward: While it means "past," its usage often implies a connection to or a movement away from that past. It can symbolize the act of acknowledging what has been and then continuing to move "toward" the future.

3. Character Construction:
The character is composed of:

  • 彳 (chì): The "step" radical on the left. This radical always relates to walking, movement, or a path.

  • 主 (zhǔ): The component on the right, which means "master" or "main."

A poetic interpretation is "to master one's path" or "to walk a path with purpose." This combines the ideas of deliberate movement and direction.


往的笔顺【Writing order】ノノ丨丶一一丨一

II. "往" as a Tattoo: Meanings and Considerations

A tattoo of "往" is a thoughtful, introspective, and philosophical choice. It speaks to one's relationship with time, memory, and life's journey.

Common and Positive Meanings:

  1. Acknowledging and Honoring the Past: The tattoo can be a way to carry one's past—the 往事 (wǎngshì)—with them. It doesn't mean dwelling on it, but rather acknowledging that past experiences, both joyful and painful, have shaped who you are today. It's a mark of integrating your history into your identity.

  2. Moving Forward with Purpose: It can represent the philosophy of "looking back, but moving forward." It signifies that while you respect and remember the past, you are actively "going toward" your future with intention and purpose.

  3. A Symbol of Life's Journey: It beautifully captures the essence of life as a path (彳) that we walk, with the past always flowing behind us as we move toward an unknown future.

  4. A Connection to Relationships: Through the word 来往 (interaction), it can symbolize the importance of the "comings and goings"—the relationships and connections that form the fabric of our lives.

⚠️ Important Considerations & Potential Drawbacks

"往" is a nuanced tattoo. Its connection to the "past" is its most potent aspect, which can be a double-edged sword.

  1. Potential for a Melancholic Vibe: The strong association with "the past" (往事) can be interpreted as nostalgia, regret, or being stuck in memories. The wearer's personal narrative must frame this in a positive or accepting light.

  2. Subtlety of Meaning: The profound philosophical meaning of "mastering one's path" is not immediately obvious. The primary interpretations will be "to go" or "the past," and the deeper significance must be explained.

  3. Ambiguity: Its meaning can be ambiguous. Is it about moving forward, or is it about the past? The wearer's intent gives it specific meaning.

Conclusion and Recommendation

The character "往" is a sophisticated, introspective, and highly recommended choice for a tattoo for the right person.

It is the perfect symbol for you if:

  • You have a deep respect for your personal history and see it as an integral part of your journey.

  • You believe in moving forward in life with purpose and awareness of where you've been.

  • You see life as a path to be walked with mindfulness.

It is a tattoo for thinkers and reflectors. If you are seeking a simple symbol of forward motion, 前 (forward) might be more direct. But if you want a character that beautifully and poetically encapsulates the complex relationship between our past, our present path, and our future direction, then "往" is a uniquely profound and elegant emblem.

How to Write "往" (Stroke Order)

The stroke order for "往" is essential for its correct and balanced structure.

  1. First (Left Radical "彳"): 丿 (Left-falling) - The first short stroke.

  2. Second (Left Radical "彳"): 丿 (Left-falling) - The second short stroke.

  3. Third (Left Radical "彳"): 丨 (Vertical) - The vertical stroke.

  4. Fourth (Right Part "主"): 丶 (Dot) - The top dot.

  5. Fifth: 一 (Horizontal) - The top horizontal stroke.

  6. Sixth: 一 (Horizontal) - The middle horizontal stroke.

  7. Seventh: 一 (Horizontal) - The bottom horizontal stroke.

  8. Eighth: 丨 (Vertical) - The final vertical stroke.

Writing Tip: The "彳" radical should be narrow, allowing the "主" component to be the dominant part of the character. The three horizontal strokes in "主" should be evenly spaced, with the middle one being the shortest and the bottom one the longest, creating a stable base. This structure gives the character a sense of a steady, purposeful walk along a path.

往字意思【meaning】

往字基本字义解释【Basic meaning】

往wǎng（ㄨㄤˇ）

⒈  去，到：往返。往复。往还（huán ）。往来。交往。向往。勇往直前。

⒉  过去：往昔。往日。往事。往古。往常。以往。一如既往。

⒊  同“望”。

往的异体字【Variant】

  • 徃

  • 徍

  • 迬

往字汉英互译【Chinese-English Translation】

go、past、previous、toward、wend、fro

相关字词【Related words】

来返复

造字法【Character Creation】

会意：从彳、从主

往的英文翻译【English Translation】

go, depart; past, formerly

往字组词【Word Grouping】

往则;往亡;之往;无往;归往;往逝;往回;往旧;往常;心往;往莅;电往;往例;往时;往初;

往字取名的寓意【The meaning of the name】

往字取名寓指志向、怀念、成功之意。中性字，用字频率为百分名字中使用了1604次，点击查看往字起名

往字取名的含义是什么【What does the name mean?】：

往字取名义指清纯,活泼,活泼之义;

往配什么字最好【What word is best?】

起名往配什么字最好【What word is best?】?往配什么字最好【What word is best?】男孩可配焱、定、展、原、梁等字起名大气好听的。女孩往字配什么字好听可配恰、瑕、姮、佚、嫄等字起名最好听。

与往字搭配的最佳男孩名字【Best boy names that go with this word】

  • shan wang善往

  • qian wang芊往

与往字搭配的最佳女孩名字【Best girl names that go with this word】

  • qian wang芊往

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